Self-supporting compactor

ABSTRACT

A self-supporting compactor consisting of frame, a motor on the frame, and a compactor plate at the lower end of the frame driven by the motor. The compactor plate has a central shaft tiltably mounted in a thrust head with respect to the motor drive shaft and freely rotatable so that as rotated there is one area on the edge of the compactor plate which shifts progressively around the circumference as the plate is driven with a wobble motion, thereby to provide a compacting force on a surface to be compacted. A pair of long parallel shoes on diametrically opposite sides of the frame are pivotally mounted on the frame and temporarily locked in nonpivoting position while the compactor is at rest and when the operation is being started. Once compacting commences, the shoes are released and automatically pivot from a supporting position, but return automatically and momentarily to supporting position during the compacting operation thereby to prevent the compactor from bouncing out of control.

United States Patent Dening et al.

[ 1 July4, 1972 [54] SELF-SUPPORTING COMPACTOR' [73] Assignee: Garlinghouse Brothers Manufacturing (30.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

22 Filed: Aug. 10, 1970 [2l] Appl.No.: 62,261

Primary ExaminerJacob L. Nackenoff AttarneyBeehler & Arant [5 7] ABSTRACT A self-supporting compactor consisting of frame, a motor on the frame, and a compactor plate at the lower end of the frame driven by the motor. The compactor plate has a central shaft tiltably mounted in a thrust head with respect to the motor drive shaft and freely rotatable so that as rotated there is one area on the edge of the compactor plate which shifts progressively around the circumference as the plate is driven with a wobble motion, thereby to provide'a compacting force on a surface to be compacted. A pair of long parallel shoes on diametrically opposite sides of the frame are pivotally mounted on the frame and temporarily locked in nonpivoting position while the compactor is at rest and when the operation is being started. Once compacting commences, the shoes are released and automatically pivot from a supporting position, but return automatically and momentarily to supporting position during the compacting operation thereby to prevent the compactor from bouncing out of control.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SELF-SUPPORTING COMPACTOR This invention is an improvement of prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,917,979 issued Dec. 22, 1959, for a compactor, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,883 issued Aug. 25, 1959, for device for kneading and surfacing plastic material.

In prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,917,979 and 2,900,883 are disclosures of machines for making use of a rotationally oscillating compactor plate which, by employment of relatively low power, are capable of applying a high pounds per square inch pressure on a surface in a progressive fashion to get the highly efl'ective compaction for a great variety of different surface conditions. Although such machines have been eminently successful, all have required a carriage separately supported upon the surface and from which the compactor is supported during application of the compacting force to the surface. Consequently separate provision must be made in each instance for the support of the carriage independently of the compactor, especially where attendant equipment is of relatively great weight.

To still further take advantage of minimizing the weight of the equipment as well as the power plant, while at the same time increasing the compacting capabilities, attention has been directed to a structure where there need not be any auxiliary support provided for the device other than precisely the compacting components which perform work upon the surface.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved selfsupporting compactor making use of what may be termed a wobble motion wherein there is no need for any auxiliary supporting apparatus separate and apart from the compactor itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-supporting compactor which is provided with a temporary stand to hold the device upright while at rest and while the engine is being started, the support being of such character that it shifts automatically out of supporting position as promptly asthe compacting operation commences.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-supporting compactor in which a stand used to hold the device upright is temporarily locked in position so that it will not inadvertantly shift out of position during the very initial stages of engine starting and compacting but which can be readily manually' unlocked as soon as it becomes desirable to shift the compactor from its initial position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-supporting compactor which by virtue of the fact that there is no auxiliary supporting means can be readily guided forwardly, rearwardly, toward either side, and up and down slopes aswell, merely by a slight shift of the balance of the upright mounted machine by the operator, as the machine progresses over the surface to be compacted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-supporting compactor which makes use of the stand for temporarily holding the compactor in upright position while it rests, the same stand being so constructed that during operation the stand will automatically fall into a supporting position on those occasions when the compactor commences to bounce either because of striking a surface already compacted or perhaps striking some obstruction in the surface which would otherwise tend to make it difficult to control.

Also included among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-supporting compactor wherein the lower working portion of the machine is effectively shielded not only to prevent inadvertant contact between the person of the operator and the compacting plate, but also to shield the operator from materials subject to compaction which might be tossed about during initial stages of the operation.

Included further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-supporting compactor of such construction that virtually the entire weight of the machine, its power plant and all appurtenances thereto are located vertically above the compacting plate in such fashion that the entire weight is efi'ective to enhance the compacting capabilities while at the same time making it possible to achieve a great concentration of compacting force by a machine which is relatively low powered and inexpensive.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device at rest upon a surface to be compacted.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device at right angles to the view depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device with the self-supporting stand released for operation and showing in broken lines the travel of the device in the slope under the guidance of an operator.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device with suggested directions of travel depicted in broken lines.

FIG. 5 is a simplified elevational view of the device similiar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the device tilted for change in direction.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing travel of the device laterally up a slope.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the thrust head and compactor plate portions of the device in a condition for operation.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration there is shown a frame indicated generally by the reference character 10 which supports a gasoline engine 11 for driving a compactor assembly 12. A stand, which may also be described as a brace is indicated generally by the reference character 13, the frame being provided with handle bars 14 manipulation. Although a gasoline engine has been suggested, where conditions can tolerate an extension cord an electric motor may be substituted.

The gasoline engine is substantially conventional in design and construction, provided in the usual fashion with a cord starting pulley 15, the output of the engine being carried to the power take-off shaft 16, shown only in FIG. 7. v

An upper housing 17 directly supports the engine 11 and beneath the upper housing is a lower housing 18 which provides a support for the stand 13. A transmission housing 19 is for the accommodation of he power take-off shaft and a gear train consisting of drive pinion 20 and a planetary assembly group represented by the gear 21.

A transmission ring 23 has inner teeth 24 in engagement with the planetary assembly group, the transmission ring being rotatively mounted in the transmission housing 19 so as to be rotationally driven by the gear train. An intermediate drive shaft 25 is nonrotatably secured in the transmission ring 23 by appropriate conventional means so that the intermediate drive shaft is rotated by the power take-off shaft at an appropriate reduced rate of revolutions per minute. A bearing spacer sleeve 26 containing bearing rings 27 and 28 rotatably supports the intermediate drive shaft 25 in the transmission housing 19. An annular support ring 29 is bolted to the lower end of the transmission housing 19 by means of bolts 30, the support ring providing a means for stationarily securing a flared guard skirt 31.

At the lower end of the intermediate drive shaft 25 is a thrust flange 32 which presents a thrust face 33 to a thrust housing 34, the thrust housing 34 being bolted to the thrust flange by means of cap screws 35.

In the thrust housing 34 is a bore 36 which is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis of the intermediate drive shaft 25 and power shaft 16, the lower end of the bore being substantially in alignment with an extension of the axis of the drive shaft, and the upper end being displaced at a substantial distance laterally therefrom. In the bore 36 is a bearing assembly 37 mounting fural drive bearings (not shown) which rotatably support a final drive shaft 38. A flange 39 at the lower end of the final drive shaft has a wobble compactor plate 40 bolted to it by means of four cap screws 41.

The stand 13 consists of ground engaging shoes and 46 located on diametrically opposite sides of the device, the shoes being connected through leg members 47 and 48 to the lower housing 18.

More particularly, each shoe has a ground contacting foot 49 along one side of which extends a protecting flange 50. A gusset plate 52 with the help of the flange rotatably secures a lower end of one leg element 53 of the leg member 47. A similiar gusset plate 54 at the opposite end with the help of the flange 50 rotatably secures the lower end of a leg element 55 of the leg member 48. A crossbar 56 of the leg member 47 is rotatably secured at one side of the device to a support lug 57 and at the other side of the device to a support lug 58, the support lugs being a part of the lower housing 18 which serves as a support housing. A leg element 59 on the opposite side of the leg member 47 is rotatably attached to the shoe 46 by means of a flange 60 similiar to the flange 50 and gusset plate 61 similar to the gusset plate 52.

In similar fashion, a crossbar 63 of the leg member 48 is rotatably secured to appropriate support lugs 64 and 65, a leg element 66 being rotatably secured to the shoe 46 in a manner similar to that described for rotatably or pivotally securing the leg element 59 to the same shoe 46.

Forming part of the crossbar 56 of the leg member 47 is a lock segment 70 in which is an open notch 71. Operable with the lock segment is a manually actuated leg control lever 72. The leg control lever is pivotally attached to the upper housing 17 by means of a pivot pin 73, the leg control lever thereby comprising an upper lever element 76 at the end of which is a detent 77 for engagement in the notch 71.

The handle bar 14 previously made reference to has one arm 80 anchored to the upper housing 17 by means of threaded rods like the rod 81 on which are adjusting handle bar nuts and spacers 82, 83, 84, and 85. The handle bar nuts and spacers 82 and 83 engage the arm 80 and handle bar nuts 84 and 85 engage an appropriate flange 86 on the upper housing 17.

An opposite arm 87 of the handle bar 14 is similiarly attached to the upper housing 17 by means of a rod 88, adjustable handle bar nuts and spacers 90, 91, and 92 and flange 93.

On the handle bar 14 is provided a conventional fuel tank 95 which operates in conjunction with a throttle 96 manipulated by a manually actuated throttle control 97 and a supply line 98.

To commence operation the shoes and the leg members are firmly locked in the position of FIG. 1 by making certain of engagement of the detent 77 in the notch 71 of the lock segment 70 by proper manipulation of the leg control lever 72. Inasmuch as the feet of the shoes 45 and 46 are substantially at the same level with the portion of the wobble compactor plate closest to the ground surface, the engine can start freely even through oscillation of the wobble compactor plate is initiated simultaneously. While the shoes remain locked in position as described, the device will remain in its supported position and cannot be manipulated so as to shift it about.

When compacting is to be commenced, the detent 77 is withdrawn from the notch 71 and the shoes through the attached leg assemblies serving as links between the shoes and the frame are free to pivot, thereby to withdraw their support. From this point the entire device is actually supported by the wobble compactor plate as it operates against a surface 100 which is to be compacted. The wobble compactor plate 40 presents a relatively great potential compacting area 101. Should there be a relatively deep loose mass of material making up the surface 100, at initiation of the operation, the entire area 101 will engage the loose mass of material making up the surface. The loose material will be compacted as a result of operation of the device. As the surface becomes compacted and therefore becomes firmer, the area of contact between the wobble compactor plate exemplified by the portion 102 diminishes until, when the surface has been compacted to the greatest degree possible by use of a device of selected weight and power, the area of contact of the portion 102 will be at its minimum.

In order to have the device progress forwardly, an operator may do no more than lift slightly on the handle bar 14. Forward motion usually allows for maximum control, comfort and safety and is preferable where rocky or hard areas are to be compacted. The device can be directed rearwardly toward the operator by a slight downward pressure on the handle bar.

To turn the device toward the right, the left side of the handle bar is lifted slightly as suggested in FIG. 5. This will not only cause the device to turn toward the right but the same manipulation can be made use of to make the device climb a slight grade toward the right as illustrated by the broken lines of FIG. 6. To turn the device toward the left, the right side of the handle bar is lifted slightly. Since there is a normal direction of rotation of the engine, there will usually be a natural tendency for the device to turn toward one side or the other and for combustion engines like the type shown the tendency will be to turn toward the left. The tendency, however, is not great and can be compensated for by manipulation of the handle bar slightly as would be done for a right turn. For easiest operation an area can be selected for compaction and the device manipulated in such fashion that it will travel in decreasing left hand circles as it works from an outer circular path toward the center. Operation of the machine is such that better compacting results are achieved by moving the device slowly over the area to be compacted making one slow pass rather than moving it rapidly and making several passes.

As the surface 100 becomes finnly compacted, there may be a tendency of the device to bounce, especially should the Wobbler compactor plate strike a hard object as a stone. The shoes and supporting arms, being free to pivot, will constantly tend to fall by gravity to a supporting position. Hence the shoes and supporting structure for the shoes when pushed into contact with the surface 100 each time the device moves downwardly from an upper position immediately block any further tendency to bounce. The shoes and their supporting structure therefore provide this additional safety feature of preventing the device from getting out of control as well as serving as a stand when the device is at rest or when the engine is initially started.

After the compacting operation has been completed, the leg control lever 72 is put in position such that the detent 77 is in proper position to engage the notch 71. With the engine running the device is rocked until engagement takes place. The shoes will then be in supporting position and locked in position by the detent 77 in engagement with the notch 71. Then the clutch can be disengaged and the engine stopped.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

1. A self-supporting compactor comprising a frame, a motor on said frame, a shaft driven by the motor, an operating handhold on said frame, and a thrust housing attached to the shaft, said thnist housing having a substantially centrally located cylindrical bearing recess with the axis thereof tilted at an oblique angle relative to the axis of the shaft, a wobble member comprising a central final shaft rotatably mounted in said bearing recess and a wobble compaction plate concentric with said final shaft and having a downwardly facing compaction face for engagement with a surface to be compacted, and a brace for holding said compactor in erect position, said brace being movable between bracing and nonbracing positions, said brace comprising a ground engaging means adapted to engage said surface and a pivotal linkage connection between the ground engaging means and the frame enabling said ground engaging means to swing into engagement with said surface to a position adapted to brace said frame in erect position on said surface, said ground engaging means having a swinging movement to a position out of engagement with said surface to a nonbracing position when the compactor plate is in operation and a manually actuated lock acting between said brace and said frame adapted when locked to block relative movement between the brace and the frame.

2. A self-supporting compactor as in Claim 1 wherein the ground engaging means comprises separate shoes at spaced l0- cations around the frame.

3. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 2 wherein each shoe member of said brace comprises an elongated element having a substantially flat edge for engagement with said surface and said pivotal linkage connection comprises a link at each end of each shoe element, one end of each link having a pivotal attachment to the shoe element and the other end of each link having a pivotal attachment to the frame.

4. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 1 wherein the manually actuated lock comprises a segment having a notch therein rotatably attached at the pivot connection to one of the links and a lever arm with pivotal connection to the carriage, one end of said lever arm having a detent engageable with said notch in said segment, the other end of said lever arm comprising an operating handle.

5. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 1 wherein there is a protective skirt extending around said compactor plate, a

free perimeter of said skirt having a location substantially in alignment with the perimeter of said compactor plate and a closed perimeter anchored to said frame at a location adjacent said thrust housing.

6. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 1 wherein said thrust housing comprises an intermediate drive shaft in operative engagement with said power take-off shaft, a bearing member having a rotatable position surrounding said intermediate drive shaft, a portion of said frame having a bore therein in rotatable engagement with said bearing member, there being a rotatable connection between said power takeoff shaft and said bearing member eccentric with respect to the axis of said power take-off shaft, said intermediate drive shaft being nonrotatably connected to said thrust housing. 

1. A self-supporting compactor comprising a frame, a motor on said frame, a shaft driven by the motor, an operating handhold on said frame, and a thrust housing attached to the shaft, said thrust housing having a substantially centrally located cylindrical bearing recess with the axis thereof tilted at an oblique angle relative to the axis of the shaft, a wobble member comprising a central final shaft rotatably mounted in said bearing recess and a wobble compaction plate concentric with said final shaft and having a downwardly facing compaction face for engagement with a surface to be compacted, and a brace for holding said compactor in erect position, said brace being movable between bracing and nonbracing positions, said brace comprising a ground engaging means adapted to engage said surface and a pivotal linkage connection between the ground engaging means and the frame enabling said ground engaging means to swing into engagement with said surface to a position adapted to brace said frame in erect position on said surface, said ground engaging means having a swinging movement to a position out of engagement with said surface to a nonbracing position when the compactor plate is in operation and a manually actuated lock acting between said brace and said frame adapted when locked to block relative movement between the brace and the frame.
 2. A self-supporting compactor as in Claim 1 wherein the ground engaging means comprises separate shoes at spaced locations around the frame.
 3. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 2 wherein each shoe member of said brace comprises an elongated element having a substantially flat edge for engagement with said surface and said pivotal linkage connection comprises a link at each end of each shoe element, one end of each link having a pivotal attachment to the shoe element and the other end of each link having a pivotal attachment to the frame.
 4. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 1 wherein the manually actuated lock comprises a segment having a notch therein rotatably attached at the pivot connection to one of the links and a lever arm with pivotal connection to the carriage, one end of said lever arm having a detent engageable with said notch in said segment, the other end of said lever arm comprising an operating handle.
 5. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 1 wherein there is a protective skirt extending around said compactor plate, a free perimeter of said skirt having a location substantially in alignment with the perimeter of said compactor plate and a closed perimeter anchored to said frame at a location adjacent said thrust housing.
 6. A self-supporting compactor as in claim 1 wherein said thrust housing comprises an intermediate drive shaft in operative engagement with said power take-off shaft, a bearing member having a rotatable position surrounding said intermediate drive shaft, a portion of said frame having a bore therein in rotatable engagement with said bearing member, there being a rotatable connection between said power take-off shaft and said bearing member eccentric with respect to the axis of said power take-off shaft, Said intermediate drive shaft being nonrotatably connected to said thrust housing. 